THE GREAT VICTORY: Further Particulars of the Capture of Fort Donelson; Attempt of the Rebels to Cut Their Way Through Our Lines (2/19/1862)

New York Times - Times Machine ^ | 2/19/1862

[Homer_J_Simpson]

CHICAGO, Monday, Feb. 17.

The following dispatch, giving a somewhat detailed account of occurrences at Fort Donelson, on Saturday and Sunday, with the correspondence between the commanding officers of the opposing forces preceding the surrender, and the names of some of the National killed and wounded, appeared in but a portion of our morning edition yesterday, owing to the late hour at which it was received:

A special from Fort Donelson says: The forces were about equal in numbers, but the rebels had all the advantage of position, being well fortified on two immense hills, with their fort near the river, on a lower piece of ground. From the foot of their intrenchments, rifle-pits and abattis extended up the river, behind the town of Dover. Their fortifications on the land side, back from the river, were at least-four miles in length. Their water battery, in the centre of the fortifications, where it came down to the river, mounted nine heavy guns.

The rebels were sure of success. In any other cause and against less brave troops, they could easily have held the position against a hundred thousand men.

The business of getting the different brigades in position for attaching the new arrivals to the different divisions, took up the greater portion of Friday night.

At daylight Saturday, the enemy opened on the Eighteenth Illinois, when Col. OGLESBY's Brigade was soon engaged, and was soon followed by WALLACE's and MCARTHUR's Brigades, the latter acting under Gen. MCCLERNAND, as the position of the troops had been changed during the night, and Gen. GRANT had been called away during the night to the gunboats.

The movements of all the troops, except those attached to MCCLERNAND's Division, were made without anything except general orders.

[Homer_J_Simpson]

Free Republic University, Department of History presents U.S. History, 1861-1865: Seminar and Discussion Forum
The American Civil War, as seen through news reports of the time and later historical accounts

First session: November 21, 2015. Last date to add: May 2025.
Reading: Self-assigned. Recommendations made and welcomed.

Posting history, in reverse order

https://www.freerepublic.com/tag/by:homerjsimpson/index?tab=articles

To add this class to or drop it from your schedule notify Admissions and Records (Attn: Homer_J_Simpson) by reply or freepmail.

Link to previous New York Times thread

https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/4039397/posts

[Homer_J_Simpson]

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[Homer_J_Simpson]

The Great Victory: Further Particulars of the Capture of Fort Donelson – 2-4
The Rumored Capture of Savannah – 4
Fort Foote – 4
News from New Mexico – 4
News from Washington: Preparations for the Observance of Washington’s Birthday – 4-6
The Reported Capture of Savannah – 6
Editorial: The Situation on the Cumberland – 6-7
Editorial: The Southern People-Guilty or Not Guilty – 7
Mr. John Stuart Mill on America – 7
Chivalry – 7-8
Mr. Bancroft on the Exchange of Prisoners – 8
General News – 8
The Lane Expedition – 8
Order from the Marshal of St. Louis – 8
Congress – 8

[M Kehoe]

Definition of abatis

: a defensive obstacle formed by felled trees with sharpened branches facing the enemy.

Learn something new every day.

5.56mm

[Homer_J_Simpson]

If I ever see an abatis I will steer clear.

[skinny old man]

Hmmm...
Not on word about Nathan Bedford Forest,who refused to surrender,ESCAPED from Ft.Donaldson !

[M Kehoe]

Hi Professor.

Let’s see who gets this...

“Front towards enemy.”

Hint: stars with a “C.”

5.56mm

[MuttTheHoople]

If the Union had some of them during Pickett’s charge, the casualty rate would’ve been much worse.

[MuttTheHoople]

This is the first instance of General Ulysses Grant's rise from failed businessman to the best General of the Civil War (and I am including Lee, Jackson, and Sherman).

He electrified the North with his terms for "Unconditional Surrender", at a time when the Confederacy seemed to be running roughshod over the feckless Union generals in the East.

[BroJoeK]

Forrest is by far my favorite Confederate leader, though I think not yet a general.

My great grandfather’s Union regiment met him twice in battle and both lived to tell the stories.

Arguably Forrest was under-used by Confederates, as was another famous southern General, Patrick Cleburne, though for different reasons...

[flaglady47]

I love these kinds of history threads.

[urbanpovertylawcenter]

NBF greatest General in the WONA produced by either side!

Recently moved from his burial site in Memphis to Columbia Tn.

Attacked and decimated the Criminals at Fort Pillow who had been carrying out Grant and Sherman’s burn out all in West Tennessee who allow Forest free reign in their communities.

Waded out with 1500 men from the Fort Donaldson surrender folly. Union army sentrys thought to be guarding the escape route turned out to be fence posts.

A man named Hinson waged a one man war with a sniper’s rifle after his two young sons were decapitated by the yanks for deer hunting on his plantation in the Donaldson area, over 130 kills including the one responsible for his boys deaths.

I am in Clifton TN where Forest crossed twice into West Tn. Come to Clifton for the Golf. Jack Nicholas course. Bryce’s Crossroads near by in Ms. Shiloh up river a ways.

[Theophilus]

Amazing the lengths senior officers on both sides wade to avoid all risks and responsibility. Fortune favors the bold!